Unveiling Lin Wei's NCAA journey: Classes in the morning, training in the afternoon, local fans call him Lin Crazy 2.0

On October 6th Beijing time, NBA reporter Victor Sun wrote an update on Lin Wei’s situation at the University of Oregon. Below is his full report—

On a peaceful Saturday morning, the lights inside the University of Oregon men’s basketball training hall were already shining. When I got there, Lin Wei had just completed his physical treatment and was casually talking with a teammate. They laughed and gently pushed each other, the mood easy and harmonious. This kind of natural rapport can only be seen when someone truly integrates into the group.

A few minutes later, we sat down in the locker room. Lin Wei’s locker was right next to that of senior forward Nate Bittle, last season’s top scorer on the team.

Lin Wei speaks with calmness and steadiness, exuding confidence—a confidence that comes from knowing exactly why he is here and what he needs to prove.

Why choose Oregon, and why now

Last season, Lin Wei was the highest-scoring Chinese player in the CBA. He could have stayed in China as a star or accepted professional offers from the G League or overseas leagues. Yet, he chose a path few expected—joining the NCAA and becoming part of the University of Oregon men’s basketball team.

“I want to challenge myself in a different way,” Lin Wei said. “Coming to the U.S. means learning their basketball philosophy, adapting to the game’s pace, and improving both offense and defense. This will prepare me for any league I might play in the future.”

Then, almost casually, he added another equally important goal: improving his English skills. “Language barriers—that’s one of the main reasons I came here,” he explained.

Adjusting to the rhythm at the University of Oregon

When Lin Wei first arrived in Eugene, classes hadn’t started yet. “We could only train for one hour each day,” he recalled, “but that hour was non-stop—no breaks, just continuous offense and defense running, like playing international games. I had never played at such a fast pace before, so I needed time to adjust.”

Now, his schedule fully follows the student-athlete routine.“Classes start at 8 a.m. and finish at 10,” he said, “then training begins at 1 p.m. Before practice, I do extra shooting drills or work with trainers on specific skills. We also have strength training three times a week.”

Adaptation goes beyond basketball. “Everything is communicated in English, which is challenging,” he admitted, “but there are other Chinese students here—we help each other. This pushes me to learn faster and truly become part of the community.”

On the court, he found the team’s system surprisingly familiar. “The fundamentals of basketball are universal,” he said. “Last season, our CBA team’s coach was also foreign. The difference here is the faster pace—more emphasis on teamwork, quicker offense-defense transitions, and fewer mistakes allowed.”

Daily life: Food, golf, and little surprises

Off the court, Lin Wei’s life is simple. “I still eat Chinese food every day,” he laughed, “I’m not used to American food yet, but I think I’ll gradually adapt.”

The University of Oregon’s sports facilities have made his transition easier. “There’s a nutrition station with protein powders, smoothies, snacks, and fruits,” he said. “After training, we get post-workout meals with salads, chicken, salmon, and burritos. All the food is designed to help us recover.”

He has also picked up a new hobby—golf. “There’s a Chinese player on the golf team,” Lin Wei explained, “she taught me some moves. I’ve only been learning for three or four weeks, but I really enjoy it.”

First impressions of Oregon’s sports culture

Eugene’s energy immediately attracted him. “On my third day here, I went to watch a football game,” Lin Wei recalled—that was a rivalry match, “The stadium was full, with around 30 to 40 thousand fans. The crowd was extremely loud and the atmosphere intense. I thought it must be really tough for the visiting team to play in such an environment.”

He also hopes to bring that passion to the basketball court. “I want fans to see the best version of me,” he said. “The season starts in three weeks, and I’m using every day to prepare—to help the team win.”

About comparisons and role models

Online, some Oregon fans have already nicknamed Lin Wei “Lin Crazy 2.0,” a tribute to Jeremy Lin’s legendary NBA performances.Lin Wei smiled when he heard the comparison but doesn’t want to be confined by the label.

“When I was in second grade, I went to buy shoes and saw his poster on the wall,” he recalled. “I watched his peak games. To me, it’s more about admiration—I learned a lot from his play. As Asian players, we can draw a lot of inspiration from his journey.”

The two briefly crossed paths during a preseason game in China. “In my rookie season, our team played against his,” Lin Wei said. “That experience was special—he opened a door for players like me.”

Looking ahead

Lin Wei’s current goals are clear: improve himself, build team chemistry, and help the team win. “I don’t want to be the center of attention,” he said. “If I work hard and perform well, the fans will naturally cheer for me—that’s the best recognition for both me and the team.”

Near the end of the interview, we talked about another familiar name: Han-Sen Yang, currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers—the city of Portland is only a two-hour drive north of Eugene.“Now we’re in the same state,” Lin Wei laughed. “When we both have free time, maybe around Christmas, we might go eat hotpot together.”

For the University of Oregon, and perhaps for Chinese basketball, Lin Wei’s arrival carries a subtle yet significant meaning. Though still adapting to the NCAA’s pace, his professionalism and steady character stand out. With point guard Jackson Shelstead sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks, Oregon fans may soon get an early look at this newcomer—whose calm confidence has already blended seamlessly with the team.